Rh disease

noun

, Pathology.

1. erythroblastosis ( def 2 ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of Rh disease¹

First recorded in 1965–70; Rh factor

Example Sentences

Largely because of William Pollack, an infant’s ailment, Rh disease, was all but eradicated.

From New York Times

The first mention of a preventive treatment for newborns with Rh disease appeared on April 24, 1947, in a report of a conference at which Dr. Philip Levine said that “the destruction of red blood cells in new-born babies of mothers with an Rh disturbance in their blood may be controlled if the Rh negative pregnant woman receives only Rh negative blood in the event of a transfusion,” and that her baby “may be saved by the transfusion of Rh negative blood.”

From New York Times

If the trials succeeded, the vaccine would prevent the maternal immune reaction that can cause Rh disease in babies.

From New York Times

Of the 3.3 million deliveries that take place in the U.S. each year, 260,000 result in the birth of an Rh-positive baby to an Rh-negative mother, and of these babies, at least 10% are likely to be afflicted with some degree of Rh disease.

From Time Magazine Archive

Medicine has an effective weapon against Rh disease.

From Time Magazine Archive